Shoe shank



P atentecl Aug. 20, 1929.

UNITED STATES SANTO AZZARA, F BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

SHOE SHANK.

`App1ication led November This invention relates to the manufacture of shoes, and, more particularly, to the construction of the shank thereof, in such manner as to properly support t-he shank of the 5 wearers foot and to maintain the shank of the shoe against dropping after the shoe has been worn for a time. f rThe inventionr is particularly directed to that character of shoe shanks which emb-ody a metallic stiffening member incorporated in the shank construction between the shank piece of the shoe and the outer sole.

It has become common practice to introduce metallic reinforcing members between these parts, for the purposes stated, and it .is generally the practice to secure the metallic reinforce to the shank piece of the shoe and thereafter glue or nail this shank piece into the shoe.

In structures of this character, it has been found that after a relatively short time, the shank of the outer sole becomes loosened from the shank piece and drops, not only producing an unsightly appearance, but so weakening the shoe that it becomes unt lfor further Wear.

The object of the present invention isto provide a simple, economical and efficientconstruction, wherein a metallic reinforcing member incorporated between the shank piece and the outer sole is constructed to be positively secured to both of these parts, so as to permanently secure the outer sole to the shank piece and render it impossible for these parts to separate. By thus securing the shoe parts together, the strength of the shank of the shoe is greatly enhanced and the life of the shoe is materially prolonged.

In practically carrying out the present invention, the metallic reinforcing member is in the form of a metal stamping, preferably struck up from spring steel. It is of elongated form and is provided at its opposite ends with pointed prongs extending in both upward and downward directions and at approximately its center with prongs extending in at least a downward direction. When this reinforcing member is incorporated in the shoe construction, the upwardly extending prongs are forced into and permanently secured to the shank piece of the shoe while the downwardly extending prongs are pressed into and permanently secured to the outer sole of the shoe to thereby permanently secure both of these portions to the reinforce which serves as a permanent union between 2, 1926. Serial No. 145,768.

the parts in question and positively precludes their separation.

Features of the invention, other than those specified, will be apparent, from the herein detailed description and claim, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

The accompanying drawings illustrate one practical embodiment of the invention, but the construction therein shown is to be understood as illustrative, only, and not as defining' the limits of the invention.

Figure 1 is aperspective view showing the metallic reinforce of this invention.

Figure 2 is an underneath plan view of the shank piece of a shoe showing the reinforce in position thereon.

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the outer sole of a shoe; and,

FigureV 4 is a central vertical section through the shoe sole showing the metallic reinforce interposed between the shank piece and the outer sole.

Referring to the drawings, l designates an elongated strip or plate of sheet metal preferably spring steel. This Y strip is longitudinally curved or arched corresponding to the cross sectional shape of the shank or arch of the shoe with which it is adapted for cooperation. The strip l is provided at its opposite ends with pointed struck up prongs 2 and 3 which extend in opposite directions. The lateral edges of the strip are, moreover, provided with prongs 4. These prongs preferably face in a direction away from the concave face of the strip. The metallic reinforce is such that it may be readily struck up from sheet metal, which is preferably hardened or tempered to render it resilient.

Vhen incorporating the metallic reinforce l in shoe construction, the strip is preferably first secured to the shank piece 5 of the shoe by forcing the prongs 3 into the part 5 and bending over or clinching said prongs, so as to tightly secure the reinforcing member in position. Thereafter, the shank piece 5 is placed Within a shoe and the prongs 3 and 4 forced through the outer sole 6 and thereupon bent over, or clinched for the purpose of rmly securing the metallic reinforce to the outer sole, after the manner clearly shown in Figure 4. From this showing, it will be apparent that both ends of the reinforce l are secured to both the shank piece and the outer sole 6, while said reinforce is secured to the outer sole 6, intermediate its ends by the prongs 5 at the point where the greatest tendency of the parts to separate exists.

Inasmuch as the metallic reinforce is of longitudinally arched construction, it follows that there is no chance of the shank piece separating from the reinforcing member beT tween its ends and, since the central portion of the reinforcing member is4 secured to the outer sole, the dropping of the outer sole away from the reinforcing member is absolutely precluded.

The reinforcing member of this invention firmly and permanently secures together the shank piece and the outer sole of the shoe and Vunits these parts to form a strong and durable construction much more capable of withstanding wear and strain than the parts can withstand separately and if unattached with respect to one another.

An important feature of this invention resides in the fact that the metallic reinforce is of a one piece integral construction, which may be manufactured efficiently and economically by an inexpensive stamping operation, and this reinforce may be incorporated in the shoe construction without the employment of any extraneous attaching devices and Without the necessity of skilled operators.

The foregoing detailed description sets forth the invention in its preferred practical form, but the invention is to be understood as fully commensurate with the appended l claim.

Having thus fully described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: v

In an assembly of the character described, an outer sole7 a sliankpiece interiorly there of, a longitudinally arched, transversely flat strip of metal interposed between the shank piece and the outer sole with its opposite faces in face abutting relation with the outer sole and shank piece throughout the entire extent of said faces, said strip being provided at its opposite ends with integral prongs bent from the strip of metal and extending into both the shank piece and outer sole and at its center with integral prongs also bent from the strip and extending into'the outer sole, and said strip of metal being of minimum cross section substantially central of its length and tapering to maximum cross section at its opposite ends to impart to the strip maximum longitudinal resiliency.

In testimony whereof I have signed the foregoing specification.

SANTO AZZARA. 

